Ian Wilson, “The Crater” (1.5/5)

The Crater is a melodically ambitious five-tracked EP, the debut from musician Ian Wilson. Now, when I say melodically ambitious, I mean that. After a few listens, you get a strong sense of Wilson’s ability to craft the piano with an intricate skill. Despite this, I’m still left a little puzzled after the last song ends.

On Wilson’s website, The Crater is described as “part piano rock, part literate indie-folk, and part renegade showtune.” I absolutely adore indie-folk, and I can’t seem to find any remnants of the sound in this EP. Piano rock hits the mark a little more, but renegade showtune is probably the closest bet. I think the reason it’s hard to digest is because of his mysterious voice. It’s powerful, but I can’t help to think his voice overly dark in contrast to the soaring piano. His lyrics also leave me a little unconvinced, asking if he’s “the sparrow that started the bird flu.”

The song “Let’s Go” is probably the high point for me on the EP. I love to travel so I can relate to Wilson’s feeling behind the song, but the chorus is a little lacking -- “Let’s go to Slovenia if you want to be cool.” “Creative Writing Workshop” is ironically the best display of Wilson’s lyrical creativity, but other songs like “Inanimate Objects” swarms with a bitterness that makes me uncomfortable. Actually, that sums up my general impression of the album: uncomfortable. I hear a lot of potential in Wilson’s abilities, but his sound is not modern enough to break any barriers. I could see this passing off more easily in a smoky piano bar, but it will sound too tense and haunting for the younger set.

Favorite Track: “Let’s Go”



Reviewed By: Kate